About our Plaques |
The black and white Historical Society plaques that you see around town have been provided by the Historical Society since the 1950s. They do not imply any type of designation and do not prevent the owners from making changes to the building. They simply show pride in ownership and give a bit of the history of the building. There are close to 300 properties that have or had a plaque. A few of them are listed here.
A Heritage Permit is, however, required when changes are planned for a property that is designated under Part IV or V of the Ontario Heritage Act or is on the list of Properties of Interest. Further information on the process and those properties is available through Heritage Planning at Town Hall. The Society is not involved in designations.
We have files on several hundred properties – some more detailed than others. We also have knowledgeable volunteers who can find information should be interested in one of our plaques. It can take many hours to fully research the history of a property.
Having a plaque made for your property is easy. Fill out a Plaque Order Form and one of our volunteers will contact you.
Having a plaque made for your property is easy. Fill out a Plaque Order Form and one of our volunteers will contact you.
Once the research is complete, we will contact you again with the results of the research and our suggestions for wording. Once that’s approved, our volunteers will create and paint the plaque and contact you again to either install the plaque at no extra charge or arrange to deliver it so you can make your own arrangements. Plaques are installed with small black screws through the lettering so that they don’t show. Once payment of $200 is received, we’ll provide you with a written version of the history of your property. We’ll add that and photographs of the plaque and the house to the online Plaques Exhibit on our website. The entry will include any archival photos of the property and its inhabitants that we find.
Replacement Plaques
Our plaques do not last forever. Some older plaques are not in good shape. Many are painted letters on plywood and it isn’t feasible to restore them. If you’re interested in a replacement, we’re happy to provide that using the procedure above. Because of the research and labour involved, the cost is the same.
Non-Oakville Plaques
Occasionally we’re asked to make a plaque for a property that isn’t in Oakville. We’ve made several over the years but unfortunately, don’t have the resources to take on the research.
For further information,
please email us at information@oakvillehistory.org.
Plaque Process
- A Property Owner contacts us. We may also initiate communication
- Research Property History
- Consult with the owner on suggested wording
- Owner approves
- Create Plaque
- Paint Plaque
- Install at no additional charge, or deliver plaque with installation instructions
- Photograph Plaque and Building
- Update OHS Records and post to our website
- Invoice is sent or delivered.
(All this for just $200)
Once a Plaque is ordered, a dedicated team of volunteers starts working on the request. A file is created to keep track of historical documentation collected. This can include copies and originals of:
- Plaque order form
- Material we already have on file
- Letters and other correspondence
- Newspaper articles
- Land title searches
- Book articles and or citations
- Photograph of completed plaque
- Photograph of installed plaque
It is important to establish who built the building and when. We also want to establish some of the background of the builder.
We also like to delve into the history of people that lived or worked in the building.
Initially research is done within our own library and archives. This includes using the internet.
Visitors are welcome to visit and use books in our library.
We also like to delve into the history of people that lived or worked in the building.
Initially research is done within our own library and archives. This includes using the internet.
Visitors are welcome to visit and use books in our library.
The plaques are now made of a waterproof material.
The plaques are designed using Computer Assisted Design (CAD) software and cut on a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) router.
To install the plaques, holes are drilled through the wide part of about 4 letters and/or numbers.
The plaques are designed using Computer Assisted Design (CAD) software and cut on a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) router.
To install the plaques, holes are drilled through the wide part of about 4 letters and/or numbers.
After each coat of primer or paint, a plaque is set aside to cure. While one plaque is curing, another can be painted.
The backs are primed and then painted with two coats of white.
Plaque fronts receive a total of five coats:
The backs are primed and then painted with two coats of white.
Plaque fronts receive a total of five coats:
- A white primer
- Two coats of white paint
- Two coats of black paint
#6 Flat Head Black Trim screws are used. The small black heads of the screws are hard to see in the plaques. Shown are just some of over 200 plaques that have been produced since 1950. Our volunteers will carefully instal your plaque. You may visit our offices to see more pictures. |
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To see more plaques, visit our online listing.
Over time, plaques like most things, do wear out. Consider a replacement plaque, using hardier materials.
Sometimes when selling a home, the sellers will take an existing plaque with them. The replacement cost of a plaque is $200.
Over time, plaques like most things, do wear out. Consider a replacement plaque, using hardier materials.
Sometimes when selling a home, the sellers will take an existing plaque with them. The replacement cost of a plaque is $200.